The two girls huddled together,ughing smugly.


    Across the table, Yvonne continued to eat her cake, listening to their gossip.


    Shirley had been sitting with her, but just as the ceremony was about to start, the event coordinator called all the bridesmaids over for photos.


    "This dress is hideous, and now we have to take pictures in it? If these get online, we''ll be roasted. It''s so hard to make a living these days."


    Shirley, who had also been eating cake, dropped her spoon and couldn''t help butin.


    "Aren''t there four bridesmaids today? I saw two of them are bigger stars than you. No one will even notice you."


    "You''ve got a point." Shirley nodded in agreement, standing up and smoothing down her dress. She nced at the color again and winced.


    "Is it really that ugly? Am I going to look ridiculous?” she asked, unable to let it go.


    "Sweetie, remember this: if you don''t feel awkward, they will." Yvonne told her earnestly.


    "Alright, then." With a look of grim determination, Shirley followed the coordinator.


    Shirley joined the other three bridesmaids for group photos and pictures with the guests.


    She wasn''t the only oneining.


    “I can''t believe they''re making us wear these awful dresses. And we have to take pictures with guests? If they post these ugly photos, what''s that going to do to our image?"


    "I just heard a guest say we celebrities don''t look all that special in person, that we''re not even as good-looking as them. Seriously?"


    "Ugh, let''s just get this over with. We have to go see the bride now."


    Shirley and the other three bridesmaids went to the dressing room to attend to the bride, but they were stopped at the door.


    “The bride isn''t finished with her makeup yet. Please wait out here for a bit,” a young woman, likely one of the bride''s rtives, told them coolly.


    Left waiting in the hallway, they had no choice but to stand there.


    "She''s really full of herself. Marrying an illegitimate son and she''s already putting on such airs."


    “Alright, that''s enough. The agency sent us here, so let''s not make enemies,” two of the bridesmaids muttered to each other.


    Shirley stood to the side, wisely keeping quiet.


    On the other side of the door.


    Ynda was sitting at the vanity, her makeup just finished, but she was still in her regr clothes, a cold expression on her face.


    Belinda sat beside her, pleading patiently.


    "Ynda, the guests have arrived, and both our families are here. The party is about to start. This is not the time for a tantrum Listen to me, let''s just get you dressed first. If there''s anything you''re unhappy about, can we talk it out after the engagement party? Please?"


    "Family elders? Where are they?" Ynda shot up from her chair, pointing toward the door. "Where''s Frank? Even Noah, the CEO of the Thompson Group, didn''t show up! Everyone in our circle isughing me right now,ughing at me for marrying the Thompson''s unwanted, illegitimate son!"


    "Ynda, calm down." Belinda took her daughter''s hand and sighed wearily.


    Ynda remained silent, her face stony.


    Belinda continued to plead,


    "Ynda, you need to look at the


    bigger picture. We''re your parents


    would we ever do anything to harm


    you? Ifyour father wants you to marry Eden, it''s because he''s confident he can make Eden the heir to the Thompson fortuné? You''ll be the future matriarch of the wealthiest family in Istra. Thoseughing at you now will live to regret it."